Arthritis Advisor

Ask Dr. Marks: 02/03

Subscribers Only What causes joint inflammation? Can you develop arthritis in any joint? Pain in a joint can be caused by inflammation or neuro-mechanical factors. Inflamma-tion is the primary cause of joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while neuro-mechanical factors predominate in osteoarthritis (OA). When articular cartilage is worn away and bone is exposed, simple pressure on the bone surface will cause pain. This explains why joint pain is increased when an involved joint is placed in…

Arthritis: Myths And Misconceptions

Subscribers Only Arthritis is an old person’s disease. Arthritis affects children, young adults, middle-aged people, as well as the elderly. The disease is not age- or gender-specific. There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, and some are more commonly found in particular groups. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, is more common in women, while gout appears more often in men. Older people are more inclined to have osteoarthritis. …

9 Ways To Protect Your Joints

Subscribers Only Inflammation of the joints can cause pain, swelling and limited motion of one or more of your joints. As an arthritis sufferer, no doubt you’ve already been prescribed medication by your doctor to reduce these symptoms. But there’s a lot you can do yourself—apart from taking your medication—to lessen joint pain. Following are some time-proven suggestions from orthopaedic experts at the Cleveland Clinic …

Surgery Options For Arthritis

Subscribers Only If you’re in constant pain, and you’ve tried everything to relieve your aches—rest, exercise, thermal treatments, medication—surgery may be the answer. Since different problems require different approaches, the procedure that’s best for you will depend on an orthopaedic specialist’s advice. In the meantime, here’s a primer on several—Surgery 101 For Arthritis. …

Why Exercise Matters

Subscribers Only Twenty years ago, doctors advised arthritis patients to rest and avoid exercise. Rest is still important, especially during flares. But avoiding physical activity altogether, according to orthopaedic experts at the Cleveland Clinic, can lead to significant muscle loss and excessive weight gain. As part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan, exercise can improve joint mobility, increase muscle strength, strengthen bones and ligaments, help you maintain a healthy weight, help you perform daily tasks more easily…

Steroids: Therapy With An Evil Side

Subscribers Only When cortisone was first introduced 50 years ago, it was hailed as a cure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Everyone who took it seemed to get better. But then its down side— serious, long-lasting side effects —soon became apparent. “Steroids are effective anti-inflammatory drugs that can quickly control a flare up of arthritis. But there isn't a dose you can stay on forever without suffering side effects,” says Daniel Mazanec, M.D., director of the Center for…

In the News: 02/03

Subscribers Only Study Reveals One In Three Americans Suffers From Arthritis As many as 70 million—one in three —U.S. adults suffer from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms, according to new numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study confirms that arthritis and other rheumatic conditions comprise the leading cause of disability among adults in the U.S. Worse, according to CDC epidemiologist Dr. Charles Helmick, an aging population, an obesity epidemic, and the country’s…

Alternative Therapies: Help Or Hype?

Subscribers Only When you suffer from arthritis, and conventional therapies provide only modest pain relief and little hope of a cure, it's not surprising if you want to seek alternative treatments. You’re not alone. One study indicates that nearly 94 percent of arthritis patients will try an alternative treatment at least once. More revealing, Americans spend nearly $27 million each year on “miracle cures” for arthritis. …